Optiemus Partners with Taiwan’s KunWay Technology to Manufacture Drones in India
Optiemus Infracom’s subsidiary, Optiemus Unmanned Systems Private Limited (OUS), has announced a partnership with Taiwan-based KunWay Technology to manufacture, localize, and sell its diverse range of drones in India. The collaboration aims to align with the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative, with a focus on catering to the defense and homeland security sectors. Ashok Gupta, Chairman of Optiemus Infracom, emphasized that this partnership highlights India’s growing technological capabilities and aims to position the country as a key player in the global drone manufacturing industry.
KunWay Technology, which already has clients in the US and Japan, sees this collaboration as an opportunity to not only tap into India’s dynamic and expanding market but also use the country as a manufacturing hub for its overseas operations. KunWay President and CEO David Chung Yi Liu expressed excitement about contributing to India’s growth and leveraging India’s manufacturing capabilities to serve international markets. This partnership underscores the appeal of India’s manufacturing ecosystem for global firms looking to expand their production and market reach.
https://money.rediff.com/news/market/optiemus-to-manufacture-kunway-drones-in-india/20888320250114
Editor’s Note: Optiemus Infracom’s subsidiary, Optiemus Unmanned Systems, has partnered with Taiwan’s KunWay Technology to manufacture and sell drones in India, aligning with the government’s “Make in India” initiative. The collaboration aims to cater to the defense and security sectors while positioning India as a global hub for drone manufacturing.
Dixon Technologies Eyes $3 Billion Display Fab Unit, Expands into High-End IT Products
Dixon Technologies, a leading Indian contract electronics manufacturer, is in advanced discussions with a global technology partner to establish a $3 billion display fabrication (fab) unit in India. The initiative aims to localize display production, reduce import reliance, and enhance supply chain efficiency. A significant portion of the project’s capital expenditure will be subsidized under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 scheme, making it a critical step toward strengthening India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem. Atul Lall, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Dixon Technologies, revealed the company’s plans during its Q3FY25 earnings call, emphasizing the strategic importance of the display fab to India’s electronics self-reliance goals.
Additionally, Dixon is in final negotiations with a global original design manufacturer (ODM) to form a joint venture for high-end product categories like notebooks, servers, and IT equipment. For non-Indian companies, these developments signal India’s commitment to fostering a robust electronics manufacturing sector, offering new opportunities for partnerships, investments, and supply chain collaborations in one of the world’s fastest-growing tech markets.
Editor’s Note: Dixon Technologies is in advanced talks to establish a $3 billion display fabrication unit in India, aiming to reduce import reliance and boost the electronics manufacturing ecosystem under the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0. The company is also negotiating a joint venture with a global ODM to produce high-end IT products like notebooks and servers. This move signals strong opportunities for foreign companies to invest in and partner with India’s rapidly growing electronics sector.
India to Address US AI Chip Export Curbs with Trump Administration Amid Long-Term Concerns
India plans to engage with the incoming Trump administration to address US export regulations on artificial intelligence (AI) chips and technology imposed by outgoing President Joe Biden. These regulations include a country-specific cap on GPU exports, limiting India to 50,000 advanced GPUs worth approximately $1 billion unless it signs a security pact with the US. While officials remain optimistic about managing immediate AI expansion goals under the ₹10,738-crore India AI Mission, concerns loom over long-term challenges as India ramps up its AI initiatives post-2027. Discussions are also underway with industry leaders and C-DAC to explore developing indigenous GPU capabilities.
Industry experts warn that restricted access to GPUs could slow innovation, increase costs, and delay large-scale AI data center projects in India, potentially placing Indian firms at a disadvantage compared to global competitors. India’s strong bilateral ties with the US in emerging technologies could help mitigate these challenges, though trade negotiations under the Trump administration may involve concessions on tariffs or import restrictions. For non-Indian companies, the evolving regulatory environment highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and the potential for localized AI hardware development to navigate export controls and ensure sustained growth in global AI markets.
Editor’s Note: India plans to engage with the incoming Trump administration to address US export restrictions on AI chips, which limit the export of advanced GPUs to India unless a security pact is signed. While optimistic about AI growth under the ₹10,738-crore India AI Mission, India faces long-term challenges in accessing critical GPU resources, potentially affecting innovation and AI infrastructure development.
India to Introduce Simplified Direct Tax Law During Budget Session
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to introduce a new direct tax law during the upcoming Budget session, aiming to replace the 63-year-old Income Tax Act, 1961. This overhaul seeks to simplify tax provisions, remove redundancies, and make the legislation more concise and user-friendly by reducing its volume by 60%. The draft, currently under review by the Law Ministry, is expected to be tabled in the latter half of the session, scheduled from 31 January to 4 April. The initiative follows Sitharaman’s commitment in her July 2024 Budget speech to resolve complexities and conflicts in the existing framework. Notably, 22 specialised sub-committees have worked on this revision, backed by public input, including 6,500 suggestions from stakeholders.
For non-Indian companies, the new tax law holds significance as it could bring greater clarity and predictability to India’s tax landscape, reducing litigation risks and ensuring smoother compliance processes. The shift is particularly relevant for global businesses operating in India, as streamlined provisions and simplified language could facilitate better understanding of tax obligations and improve ease of doing business in one of the world’s largest economies.
Union Budget 2025: Industry Leaders Hope for Boost to AI and Sustainability, Opening Doors for Foreign Investment
As the Union Budget 2025 approaches, industry leaders in AI, technology, and sustainability are anticipating significant government support to drive India’s digital transformation. The focus is on fostering advancements in AI and green technologies to ensure India’s growth in the global tech landscape. Experts are particularly hopeful for incentives and infrastructure development that could enable faster adoption of AI, helping India leap ahead in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and urban planning.
For foreign companies, the evolving policy landscape signals key opportunities for partnerships and investments in India’s rapidly growing digital and tech ecosystem. With the government’s emphasis on innovation and sustainability, foreign firms can explore collaborations that align with India’s digital ambitions, potentially benefiting from incentives and favorable regulatory frameworks designed to enhance their market presence in this promising sector.
Editor’s Note: As the Union Budget 2025 nears, industry leaders hope for government support to drive AI and green tech growth, enabling India’s advancement in sectors like healthcare and agriculture. The focus on innovation and sustainability presents significant opportunities for foreign companies to invest and partner in India’s digital transformation. Foreign firms may consider the evolving policy landscape and explore collaborations that align with India’s long-term digital and sustainability goals.
India-Singapore Collaboration to Boost Semiconductor Ecosystem
Singapore’s President, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, emphasized India’s growing role as a major player in the global economy, highlighting the strategic partnership between India and Singapore in advancing the semiconductor ecosystem. Both countries are focused on creating a robust supply chain for semiconductor manufacturing, addressing critical technological needs, and boosting their competitive edge in the global market.
This collaboration aims to enhance innovation and production capabilities, positioning India as a key hub in the semiconductor sector. The partnership is expected to open up new opportunities for investment, technology transfer, and industry growth, benefiting both nations in their pursuit of technological self-reliance and economic development.
Editor’s Note: Singapore’s President, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, highlighted India’s growing global economic role and the strategic partnership between India and Singapore in advancing the semiconductor ecosystem. Both countries aim to build a strong semiconductor supply chain, enhancing innovation and production capabilities to boost their competitive edge. This collaboration is expected to drive investment, technology transfer, and growth, positioning India as a key hub for semiconductor manufacturing.